Sunny skies predicted for Sunday’s Grand Farewell to old NVGH
This Sunday, September 25 from 10 am to 4 pm on the south end of the Lions Gate Hospital campus, an event unlike any other in the hospital’s history will take place. It’s the kind of event that likely won’t be repeated in our lifetime.
A day-long celebration organized by LGH Foundation is being held to give former former patients, staff, physicians and other North Van residents a chance to say “good bye” to the Activation Building (formerly known as the North Vancouver General Hospital prior to the Paul Myers LGH Acute Tower being opened in 1961).
The North Shore News previewed the Grand Farewell event in a two-page spread in last Friday’s edition of the paper, which you can read here.
LGH Foundation president Judy Savage, as quoted in the newspaper, said: “Because this hospital has been around for over 85 years, it’s touched a lot of hearts,” said Judy, later adding. “We just thought we needed to pause and really acknowledge and celebrate all that that building meant to our community.”
Join in the fun
Activities during the day will include:
- An invitational classic car show featuring 75 vehicles,
- Food – including an outdoor BBQ by the North Van Rotary Club, tea garden in the HOpe Blenz Café, food trucks and an A&W root beer float stand
- Live music and other entertainment
- Children’s activities
- Historical displays about nursing, mental health treatment, including Dr. Allan Burgmann’s “psychiatry through the ages,” and a variety of other topics (located inside the Activation Building)
- Souvenir and raffle sales (the raffle prize is now valued at more than $7,000 and includes gift cards, baskets and experiences – tickets are $5.)
- Self-guided tours of the old building (main floor only)
An operating room that was once part of the old North Vancouver General Hospital.
Parking and street restrictions in effect
To accommodate this event safely, East 13th Street between St. Georges and St. Andrews will be closed to vehicle traffic and parking on Sunday, September 25 between 6 am and 6 pm.
Visitor parking will be available in the regular lots off East 15th Street and in the HOpe Centre like usual. If you’d like more information, go to www.lghfoundation.com
Visitors are encouraged to walk, take transit or cycle (a bike valet will be on site).
The old NVGH, currently referred to by staff as the Activation Building, in 2016.